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Paul and Yvonne Ingram from the Junction Inn have finally called time at the bar after announcing their pub in Hengoed will be closing down on Sunday April 21.

The couple have run the 164-year-old pub on Kings Hill since taking over in 2019, investing thousands to refurbish the interior, but ultimately felt like they couldn’t continue in a “struggling” industry.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer about the last few years at the pub, Paul said: “It’s been difficult I won’t lie. We made it through Covid but I don’t think we or the industry fully recovered.

“We did have a sale for the pub lined-up but unfortunately that fell through at the last minute. We may reopen again, but I doubt it.”

As well as struggling to bring in enough punters, Paul explained how his wife, Yvonne, has been waiting for an operation on her knee which she’d pushed back several times to keep the pub going.

“It’s a full-time job. We didn’t have any experience in the industry and only bought it because it was my local. We’ve put a lot of effort in but we’re in our sixties now and it does get too much sometimes.”

Paul and Yvonne transformed the pub when they took over, not only with the renovations, but also by introducing food and creating a beer garden.

Paul continued: “The majority of people have wished us well. You have some who can’t understand why we’re closing but there are a lot of factors to consider.

“I will miss the place and all the people we’ve built relationships with. Yvonne has been quite emotional about it all too. I won’t miss the industry however, it’s been struggling for a while.”

Asked how they’re going to celebrate the final weekend of the pub, Paul added: “We’re going to go out on a bang that’s for sure.

“We’ve got a band booked tonight [Friday April 19] and bingo tomorrow. We’ve booked out our Sunday dinner service, then on the final night we’re just going to have a big party with all the customers so it should be fun.

“I’ve still got work to do elsewhere once this is all over so that will keep me busy. Yvonne will be resting up after her operation.”

Paul said how the pub is still up for sale, with more details available on its website.